MONTREAL, September 17,
2009 – BMO
Bank of Montreal is proud to join with the Montreal Juniors Hockey
Club (Montreal Juniors) as a major sponsor and, in so doing, to support
junior hockey in Quebec and promote student retention.
“The Montreal Juniors thrilled its fans last year, its first season
in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and we’re convinced they
will do so again this year,” said François Hudon, Senior
Vice-President, Quebec Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “This is
a golden opportunity to associate the BMO brand with a sport that Quebecers
enjoy and with a strong-performing team that’s involved in the
community.”
L. Jacques Ménard, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec, said
he was especially pleased and proud to support the Montreal Juniors’ school
outreach program, which targets 100 high schools. Among other components,
the program features talks by Juniors players in some 30 high schools,
with a view of promoting student perseverance and graduation.
“Young people identify easily with other young people, especially
with accomplished athletes, whom they see as a source of motivation and
inspiration. That’s why I’m confident that, during the School
Days that we’ll hold, the Junior players will connect with students
and encourage them to stay in school and excel in their studies,” said
Mr. Ménard, who is also Chair of the Action Group on Student Retention
and Success.
“I am extremely pleased that a major Montreal and North American
institution like BMO Bank of Montreal, which has been in business since
1817, is supporting our hockey and community involvement goals,” said
Montreal Juniors President Martin Routhier. “Together, we can help
develop junior hockey in the greater Montreal area and ensure that young
people succeed in school.”
BMO Bank of Montreal will
also be offering BMO scholarships as part of the Montreal Juniors’ Stay in School/Excel in School program.
BMO will award 11 scholarships—one for $1,000 and ten for $300,
in the form of registered education savings plans—to Quebec youth
who best explain why it’s important to Stay in School/Excel in
School in essays submitted to the address boursesbmo@bmo.com.
BMO Bank of Montreal will also be a partner for 26 community games aimed
at supporting minor hockey clubs in their respective regions, mainly
by having BMO branches distribute free tickets to Juniors games.
BMO’s association with the Montreal Juniors is in keeping with
its more than ten years’ involvement with the Canadian Hockey League.
In 2008, BMO contributed more than $55 million in donations and sponsorships
in support of hundreds of organizations across the country. BMO Bank
of Montreal has 135 branches in Quebec, including more than 100 in the
greater Montreal area.
- 30 - |
